Me & Tenny
Me & Mom
Me & Jenny
Baby Kinley



Hi! My name is Eli (yes, it's a coincidence that I share names with the other gentle Giant, Manning) and I have decided to create a Go Fund Me page after recently receiving some news that rocked my perfect world. I know you're probably busy with your own life, but if it's not too much to ask, please take a minute to read my story.

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky to a family that wasn't expecting a litter of pups. A vet technician took care of me for awhile, but eventually had to put me up for adoption. It sounds sad, but it's the best thing that's ever happened to me! After all, it's what led to me becoming "the best Craigslist dog you'll ever meet!"

In 2009, when I was 12 weeks old, I was taken by little elf creatures and dropped off at a house I had never been to. That's where I met my Mom, Michele, for the very first time. I was her early Christmas present! Mom and I became best buddies very quickly. I liked to throw surprises Mom's way, too. My favorite- she thought I would grow to be about 70 pounds! Ha! I got to 70 pounds alright- when I was seven months old!! SURPRISE! Hey, I don't know what one expects with a Lab / Great Dane mix!!

Mom and I used to go on adventures all the time. I love adventures. Once, when we decided to move from Louisville to New Jersey, Mom and I took a 14-hour road trip together! Mom's belly was really swollen at the time, so we made a pit stop to catch some shut eye. I had other plans though! There were so many new smells in our sleeping place and I was NOT interested in sleeping. I just wanted to know what all those smells were so, I paced around all night trying to figure it out. Mom decided she couldn't sleep either (hmmmm...I hope it wasn't me keeping her up...) so, we got back on the road bright and early to finish the road trip. It was the best trip, spending all that time with Mom. Ahhhh, memories...

Oops, where was I? Oh, so in November of 2011, about six months after we moved to New Jersey, Mom gave me a little sister, Kinley!! I instantly fell in love with that girl. She's spunky and has always kept me on my paws. The older she got, the more Kinley doted on me; scratching my ears, rubbing my belly, attempting to use me as her personal chauffeur (I think she had me confused for a pony or something). Needless to say, I felt like the luckiest guy alive to have such special people loving me!

Fast forward to 2014. I got TWO more great gifts! JENNY and TENNY!! Jenny has loved me since day one and better yet, she convinced mommy to adopt my soon-to-be very best friend, #1 side-kick: Tenny. Tenny was really tiny when we got her, just a pup. She's slowly but surely growing up (although I am waaayyyy more mature than she will ever be). Tenny is a great sibling. I love having her around to play with. She brings her toys to me all the time- not really so I can play with them- more so that I can watch her play with them! What can I say though? She keeps me youthful!

So, onto the reason for creating this fund... I found a bump on my paw that just kept getting bigger and bigger. The vet recommended some special test to see what that bump was made up of. Then the big blow- they told me it was a tumor that was cancerous :( I was devastated. As if it couldn't be worse, the cancer is spreading quickly and the doctors have recommended amputating my leg.

What?!? What will I do without my leg? I use that thing- A LOT! Being able to get around on three paws will prove to be quite challenging for me considering my size ( did I mention I grew about 70 pounds over that initial prediction of 70 pounds) My sulking has been evident. I have been trying to keep it together, but it makes me very sad to think I won't be able to play with Kinley and Tenny like I do now. My family works so hard to support Kinley, Tenny, and me, giving us a nice house and all the best toys, but I am not clueless as to how this would impact them financially. And they are not clueless as to how an amputation would affect my quality of life. I just want to do my part to try and help however I can.

I am hoping to contribute all donations from this fund to my surgery, aftercare, and rehabilitation. As sad as it makes me, I know this is the best option. Saying adios to my leg provides a 100% chance of eliminating the cancer. Radiation would require me to be sedated five days a week for quite some time, which would be hard on my dog body (and that's after surgery to remove this bump). I mean, I still feel like a young buck, but let's be honest, I am no spring chicken!! I just want that cancer gone! And if that means sending my leg off with it, I can accept that. That bump doesn't make me feel very well, anyway! I know how much my family loves me, after all, and I know how dedicated they will be to my recovery. Plus, being a three-pawed pooch will just add to my suave demeanor. #tripawd! I am working on keeping my spirits up, and my family is also super helpful with that. Hey, maybe one day I can even rock a fitted, prosthetic paw!

I know how tough things can be in today's world. No donation amount is too small. And if you aren't able to contribute monetarily, a positive vibe, happy thought, or little prayer would be just as appreciated. Thank you all for taking the time to read my story. High paw fives all around!